Happy Halloween!
Before I get to part 1 of the giveaway, I want to share a last-minute Halloween idea.
I present to you: Spooky Shakes…
They are more homely than scary, but let’s just go with it!
I spotted this on Martha and I thought it was a cute idea. To make: all you do is melt a tiny amount of chocolate (about 1-2 tbsp) and then paint chocolate ghost faces on the inside of the glass using the end of a popsicle stick. Easy.
Place the glasses in the freezer or fridge to set the chocolate. For the shake, I blended vegan vanilla ice cream (I love almond or coconut varieties), with a splash of almond milk and some ice, served with a cinnamon stick. You could even make a healthier shake by blending frozen bananas with almond milk. The chocolate faces stay intact thanks to the cold smoothies.
Now, for part 1 of the giveaway…
Today, I’m celebrating YOU – the kick-butt, Green Monster chuggin, recipe-lovin’ Oh She Glows community! On October 31, 2008, I started the blog on a complete whim, not thinking I would ever have the attention span to stick with it, but here I am 4 years later still smashing my head against the keyboard daily and chasing my dreams. I am so grateful for each and every one of you who read the blog each day and my hope is that you find as much inspiration here as I’ve found in all of you.
Now, to celebrate!
1) Blendtec Total Blender & Twister Jar
Blendtec has been gracious enough to donate one of their coveted Total Blender Classic Wildside machines (picture above) valued at $454.95 USD! Whoa baby. I’ve reviewed the Blendtec before on the blog and I can attest that it’s a great machine.
About the blender: “Total Blender Classic Series® is the all-in-one appliance that makes smoothies, fresh juice, ice cream, milkshakes, cappuccinos, margaritas, soups, sauces, bread dough, dressings, salsas, and more! It replaces up to 9 other appliances with one fast easy-to-use machine, at a fraction of the cost. This package includes the new precision tuned 4″ blade in the large nearly 3-quart total capacity BPA-free jar. The new large blade / large jar combination powers through tougher blending tasks and larger recipes with ease, and in less time.”
In addition to the blender, they are also giving away a Twister Jar (shown below) valued at $119.00 USD!
About the Twister Jar: “Blendtec’s newest innovation, the Twister Jar, is designed to blend your thickest recipes such as: Nut Butters, Hummus, Baby Food, Dips, Thick Shakes, Dressings and more! Best of all, it’s compatible with all Blendtec Home Blenders.”
Update: The giveaway winner is….
Thank you for sharing your touching (and often hilarious!) “lessons to my younger self” comments. If you are ever feeling down and need a pick me up, just read through the comments. It’s amazing to see how many of us have struggled with the same life lessons.
The lucky winner of the Blendtec machine is #3659 – Alicia Woulfe! Congrats! I will email you shortly to collect your mailing address. Thanks to everyone for participating!
How To Enter:
Giveway is now closed.
I would tell my younger self, like in fifth grade, that its ok to have buck teeth, and to just rock that smile even when kids teased. To thine own self be true! Thanks for the give away!!!
I would tell myself to stop worrying about what other people think and do what makes me happy!
When I was younger so many people told me to “be myself”. I always found this advice frustrating because I didnt really know who I was! I wanted to say, “tell me who she is and then I will Be her!”.
If I could visit my younger self I would instead advise her to get to know herself, to respect herself, and to love her body like it was something to be lived in and not to be fixed <3
I would tell my 16 year old self to start taking care of herself. Start eating right, exercising, etc. That even though it feels like it I am not invincible and health problems can hit at a young age, so try to prevent them by being healthy! Perhaps if I had started back then I would have stayed healthy instead of starting in my 30’s after getting sick. Silly teenagers! ;)
I would tell myself not to hurry so much. Savor moments!
Young self, no matter how awkward and insecure you feel, there is no reason to feel this way. You are beautiful, kind, and hilarious. Now own it and face the day with confidence!
My advice would be to worry less about what other people think. Listen and act upon what is best for me. I do not have regrets but have only learned from all my experiences. I hope I am teaching my daughter to do what is best for her.
Angela, this is so awesome! A Blendtec is my dream blender!
Let’s see.. my 16-year-old self should have been told that there’s no need to rush being grown up. Let life come to you and live with no regrets!
I would tell the younger me to not worry so much about what others think.
I would tell myself to *always* have a rainy day fund. Because the moment you let that slide things start getting awfully stormy.
I would tell my younger self to have more patience in just about every aspect of life. Out of that patience you can learn to live in and appreciate the present moment even if it is unpleasant.
Good question. I would emphasize to my younger self that the things that seem like the end of the world are NOT, and “this, too, shall pass.” Friends change. Life happens. And Change is okay! It is what you make of it, so chin-up and move forward smiling.
I pinned the Broccoli & Cheese soup, because last night my husband asked me to make some & I didn’t have a recipe.
Tweeted! Amazing giveaway prize https://twitter.com/DareYouToBlog/status/263980569023619073
Travel. Because once you have three beautiful daughters, it is hard to travel.
I tweeted @MrTwoArms.
Dear 18-year-old self: The boy you are with is not worthy of your time and efforts. That is not love, even though you’re convinced it is. When you’re 22, you’ll meet a man – the love of your life, your soulmate, and you’ll understand. God has an amazing plan for you – so just wait and stay strong.
katherinedibello (at) gmail (dot) com
Dear Myself @ 16, You really should: Love yourself MORE, and follow your dreams…. but in all serious-ness – start eating better NOW. So many things will be different if you just take some time and learn about what makes you “sick” and what makes you healthy. Eat more veggies and don’t take life quite so seriously… Above all be yourself.
pinned my favorite recipe! Pumpkin gingerbread smoothie! amazing. I think I lived on those for a week… with a very close second any green monster combination for another 3 weeks… my poor Oster got a workout that month!
TWEETED
https://twitter.com/KayDay3/status/263981071446728705
katherinedibello (at) gmail (dot) com
i would tell my 16-year-old self to stop trying so hard to fit in with different groups and just focus on who *i* am, what i believe in, what makes me happy — basically, honing my own identity rather than trying to adapt to the identity of a particular subculture that accepted me (hippies/phishheads, punks, and brooding gothy artists were a few groups i tried on for size in my teens). now that i am literally 16 TIMES TWO, i am so much happier just being my weird self, and i understand that we don’t need to be defined by a group, we can just find other like-minded individuals to relate to in different parts of our lives.
thank you for this giveaway opportunity, and more importantly for this amazing blog! i have been transitioning to a healthier and more plant-based lifestyle over the past six months, and this site has been an incredible resource. keep up the fabulous work!!